Chronic Hiccups: Sign of Cancer?

[dino_electropolis]

Doc,
A good freind of mine was told by his doctor that his chronic and persistent hiccups may be a sign of cancer (stomach cancer or something)

does that sound right or his dr out of his mind?

[Dr Steve]

Doc,
A good freind of mine was told by his doctor that his chronic and persistent hiccups may be a sign of cancer (stomach cancer or something)

does that sound right or his dr out of his mind?

well, it's not impossible, but that isn't the first thing I'd tell someone.

Hiccoughs (or "singultus" in medicalese) are caused by rapid spasmotic contraction of the diaphragm caused by stimulation of the nerve going to the diaphragm. Chronic hiccups are seen in only 1 in 100,000 patients.


Gastroesophageal reflux is the most common condition that causes chronic hiccoughs. Other inflammations of the esophagus can also cause it. Way down the list are tumors and other more serious conditions. Goiters, pacemakers, certain drugs can all play a part.

let me know what they find out!


your pal,



steve

PS: for acute hiccups, swallow 1 teaspoon of sugar dry...don't let it dissolve in your mouth; you want the granules to scrape the back of your throat and stimulate the vagus nerve that passes behind there. This is the only reasonably well-studied method for stopping acute hiccups.

for chronic hiccups, doctors use baclofen or gabapentin (neurontin) to minimize them. trying to find a cause is still #1 priority.